F&M Mascot Working Group
Franklin & Marshall College is embarking on an exciting journey: developing a new mascot that reflects the heart of our community and the spirit of the Diplomat.
Since arriving President Rich has heard from students, faculty, staff, and alumni that we need a mascot that embodies our identity, brings energy to campus events, and builds a sense of pride and belonging. He couldn’t agree more—and this fall, our Mascot Working Group will take up that challenge.
The Charge
The working group’s task is to:
- Explore creative and imaginative ideas for a new mascot.
- Engage broadly with the F&M community to gather input and ideas.
- Develop concepts that are distinctive, meaningful, and true to our Diplomat identity.
- Deliver three mascot concepts—including names, visuals, rationales, and practical considerations—for review by the president in mid-November.
Our inspiration remains the diplomat. Many already think of the diplomat as our mascot; our goal is to give it a form that is fun, gender-neutral, and full of personality—a character that sparks connection, excitement, and a sense of belonging.
Process and Timeline
The working group will meet regularly throughout the fall, moving step by step from brainstorming to final concepts.
- Early Meetings: Brainstorm qualities of an F&M mascot; research peer institutions; gather initial input; create evaluation criteria.
- Mid-Semester: Generate a long list of mascot ideas, host forums and surveys, and begin narrowing the list.
- Later Meetings: Refine visuals and names, evaluate against community feedback, and finalize the top three ideas with full descriptions, sketches, and practical considerations (athletics, branding, licensing, cost).
- Final Deliverable: By November, submit three polished mascot concepts to the president, followed by a campus-wide vote to select the winner.
Opportunities for Input
Community voices will be essential to this process. Throughout the semester, students, faculty, staff, and alumni will be invited to share feedback through forums, surveys, and events. We also encourage you to share your ideas online.
Submit your idea »